Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar today mourned the loss of a white male tiger cub, born on June 7, 2025, to white tigress Mousumi and normal-colored tiger Rajesh.
The cub, one of two born in the litter, was weak from birth, weighing only 650 grams and suffering from forelimb deformities akin to “swimmer puppy syndrome” in dogs. Despite relentless efforts by the zoo’s veterinary team, the cub passed away, leaving the park’s tiger population at 28.
From the outset, the cub faced severe health challenges. Unable to suckle milk by June 11, it was moved to the zoo’s Centre for Rearing Animal Babies. There, it was diagnosed with a navel infection, low body temperature, and general weakness. The zoo provided incubator care, oxygen, infrared therapy, and reconstituted milk formula. Daily physiotherapy and bandage support aimed to address its limb deformities, but the cub remained unable to stand, staying in a recumbent position. Additional complications, including blood in stools, ear infections, and body wounds from prolonged lying, were treated with medications and dressings. Despite these efforts, the cub succumbed to its conditions on the morning of August 23.
The surviving female cub from the same litter, a normal-colored tiger, also faces health issues. It suffers from arthritis and a fused right hind limb joint (ankylosis), which restricts its movement. The zoo continues to monitor and care for her, hoping to manage her condition effectively.
Nandankanan’s tiger population now includes 28 individuals: 19 normal-colored tigers (11 males, 8 females), 5 white tigers (3 males, 2 females), and 4 black tigers (3 males, 1 female). The loss of the white cub underscores the challenges of congenital health issues in captive breeding programs and the complexities of caring for rare color variants like white tigers.
The zoo’s veterinary team expressed deep regret, noting that the cub received round-the-clock care from experts.
